Water Conflicts
Water, like energy, is a fundamental human need, but is not evenly distributed.
Physical factors play a key role in determining the geography of surface and groundwater supplies, as does human management and mis-management.
Demand is growing, and this is often trans-boundary in nature.
The potential for local and international conflict is high. Where water use exceeds recharge capacity there is degradation of the resource.
Developing management strategies will require the co-operation of many players, and changes in the way water is valued and used.
Physical factors play a key role in determining the geography of surface and groundwater supplies, as does human management and mis-management.
Demand is growing, and this is often trans-boundary in nature.
The potential for local and international conflict is high. Where water use exceeds recharge capacity there is degradation of the resource.
Developing management strategies will require the co-operation of many players, and changes in the way water is valued and used.
Learning Resources
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Web Resources
Riparian StatesRiparian States: Angola, Botswana and Namibia
Click on the link to watch a video clip about the potential transboundary conflicts China: water supply and demandThe Chinese government has embarked on a massive engineering project to transfer water from the wet south to the dry north. Will this solve China’s water shortage crisis, or create a whole new set of problems?
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